Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

My name is Patricia Ladd although I'm better known by my nickname, Pat. I was born in Durham, NC and have lived here my entire life other than to go to college and to work for nine months in Roxboro, NC. My father is deceased however, I am so fortunate to still have my mother with me. I have 3 siblings, 2 sisters and a brother. I am a Campbell College alumnus and I graduated from Watts Hospital School of Radiologic Technology in 1972.

After working at Person Memorial Hospital for 9 months, I returned to Durham and completed my career in Radiology at Triangle Orthopedics for 6 years and 30 years at Duke University Health System. In 1990 I entered the computer field and worked with that endeavor as a computer specialist, managed the Radiology Transcription services and became an IT Analyst in 1998 until my retirement in November 2009.

I married Robert E. Ladd III in 1976 and we have one daughter together. I also have two step-daughters from his first marriage. We have 3 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter who hold a special place in our hearts.

I have been a member of Bethesda Baptist Church for 31 years having served in many capacities. I have taught Sunday school, Royal Ambassadors, high school youth, sung in the choir, served on numerous committees and board of directors.

I have never served in office before and consider this the most challenging event in my life. I am a concerned citizen who wants to see our nation return to our roots and the truths that our fore-fathers taught us.

I have said from the beginning that I am not a politician, fund-raiser nor am I able to visit door to door meeting people. However, I am a concerned citizen who wants to see our nation return to its roots and the truths that out fore-fathers taught us.

Our jobless rate is at an all time high, other than during the great depression, and people are struggling to make ends meet. We have so many taxes in North Carolina and we have more added every year. We are the highest taxed state in the states that surround North Carolina. Our small businesses are suffering and need help to rebound. 

Our schools are facing challenges on a daily basis just to keep running. We need to lift the cap on charter schools and reduce the size of the public school classroom and give parents a choice on where they may send their children to school. We need direction on how to solve these issues rather than continuing down the same path. Search all the options and offer the citizens of North Carolina an clear direction on what we need to do to solve these issues.

I believe in the five pillars of conservatism:

• Moral virtue
• Individual liberty
• Free enterprise
• Limited government
• National security

Where I stand on the issues:

Abortion: Amending the NC constitution to define preborn babies as persons

Marriage: Amending the NC constitution to define marriage between one man and one woman

Redistricting: Redrawing North Carolina's congressional districts to be fair and impartial

Health insurance: Supporting legislation similar to Virginia's to assert states' rights and exempt North Carolinians from the federal mandate requiring the purchase of health insurance

Education: Eliminating the cap on charter schools

Spending: Cutting government spending and taxes

Annexation: Enacting stronger protection against forced annexation